Need Help Choosing a Chamonix 4x5

[westpost]

As mentioned: I have decided that although most of my work will be studio, I would like something that folds down smaller than a monorail system for when I need to travel with it.

That said, I hear what everyone is saying about the benefits of a monorail system over a field camera for studio work.

What particular monorail cameras should I consider? Sinar X or Sinar Norma have been mentioned. What other brands? Models? As specific as possible would be very helpful.

Thanks!

[Leszek Vogt]

For starters, Linhof, Deardorff, Ebony + Lotus...probably more expensive (?) Wisner, Shen-Hao, Nagaoka, Ikeda, Tachihara, Osaka, Horseman, Omega, Toyo, Wista, Canham, Zone VI, Calumet & Interpid. The last two are likely most reasonably priced. These are rather popular brands and by no means this is a complete list. Good luck choosing.

[westpost]

For starters, Linhof, Deardorff, Ebony + Lotus...probably more expensive (?) Wisner, Shen-Hao, Nagaoka, Ikeda, Tachihara, Osaka, Horseman, Omega, Toyo, Wista, Canham, Zone VI, Calumet & Interpid. The last two are likely most reasonably priced. These are rather popular brands and by no means this is a complete list. Good luck choosing.

How many of these are monorail systems? Now I’m being convinced that is the way to go for studio work. Specific model numbers/names are appreciated. Too big a list is just overload.

What would be great is one or two recommendations with the reason why it’s a good idea. Thanks!

[r.e.]

You may be familiar with Arca-Swiss as a maker of tripod heads. As I understand it, it invented the ball head. Less well known, it also makes film and digital back monorails for 6x9, 4x5, 5x7 and 8x10. The new U.S. website is clear on models and differences between them: https://arca-swiss-usa.com. Rod Klukas, the U.S. representative, would be happy to discuss them with you. He is very knowledgeable about the brand, and has been a participant in this forum for many years. He usually has some pre-owned cameras. You'll find them on the site.

Arca-Swiss is based in Besançon, France. There is a U.S. dealer list on the new website. For example, B&H sells them. Note that Arca-Swiss cameras are not made in large quantities, they are not plentiful on the used market and they are not inexpensive.

[westpost]

Note that Arca-Swiss cameras are not inexpensive.

The problem I’m running into, the more I look, is that the less expensive models, like the Sinar brand, are no longer made or serviced. As they say, I want a product, not a project. But the ones still made, for which there is support, like Arca-Swiss, are too expensive for me.

[r.e.]

The problem I’m running into, the more I look, is that the less expensive models, like the Sinar brand, are no longer made or serviced. As they say, I want a product, not a project. But the ones still made, for which there is support, like Arca-Swiss, are too expensive for me.

So it's a matter of deciding what your budget is and seeing what's available within it. Don't assume that you can't afford Arca-Swiss. If someone offered you an Arca-Swiss Discovery in good condition, you'd have the core of a very good camera for both travel and studio work at a good price. The Discovery was sold to photography students at an attractive price, but hasn't been available for many years. However, the Arca-Swiss system is highly modular. The Arca-Swiss in my signature, which is configurable for both 4x5 and 8x10, started life as a Discovery.

That said, Sinars and Sinar parts are plentiful and they are quality cameras. The main question that I'd have is weight, since you want to travel. Someone more familiar than I am with the Sinar brand could address that. An Arca-Swiss 4x5, stripped down for travel, weighs as little as 6-7 pounds.

[Leszek Vogt]

Here is a list from one of our members, that he posted on another site. This is appx 2yrs old. Enjoy the homework.

Linhof: Linhof Precision Cameras made in Munich | Linhof

Chamonix: Chamonix View Camera

Shen Hao: http://www.shen-hao.com/

Gibellini: Gibellini Camera

Arca-Swiss:

Canham: K. B. Canham Cameras, Inc.

Intrepid: The Intrepid Camera Company

Cambo: Manufacturer High Quality Techcam, Architectural and Reproduction Cameras, Studio Stands and studio/video accessories - based in Kampen, The Netherlands - Cambo

Ritter: LARGE FORMAT CAMERA REPAIR R T RITTER|TOWNSHEND VERMONT

Walker: Walker Cameras | Large Format Cameras & Accessories | Home Page

Lotus: http://www.lotusviewcamera.at/index1.html

Svedovsky: http://svedovsky.com/

VDS cameras: http://vdscamera.com/

ONDU (pinhole cameras): http://ondupinhole.com

Argentum: http://www.argentumcamera.com/eng/pages/other/home.htm

Black Art Woodcraft: http://www.blackartwoodcraft.com/wet...ld-Camera.aspx

Wista: https://www.wista.co.jp/e_wista/e_sh...a/e_camera.htm

Toyo: http://www.toyoview.com/ProductInfo/ProductInfo.html

StenopeiKa: http://www.stenopeika.com/en/

Horseman: http://www.kenko-pi.co.jp/horseman/e/index.html

Wilderness Camera: http://www.bhcamera.us/wilderness810.php

Da Yi: http://www.bhcamera.us/dayi612.php

Gaoersi: http://www.bhcamera.us/gaoersi810.php

Wanderlust: https://wanderlustcameras.com/

Silvestri: http://www.silvestricamera.com/eng/p...odotti_eng.htm

Frica: http://www.frica.cn/

Dayi:

Plaubel: http://www.plaubel.com/

HF Large format cameras: https://www.facebook.com/HFcameras/

Star Camera Company: http://www.starcameracompany.com

[darr]

My 2 cents ...

Monorail cameras have been an excellent tool for me in the studio throughout my commercial career. I have shot with a few from different manufacturers. They all had their pluses and minuses. I shot Arca Swiss the longest, in 4x5 and 6x9 formats, and their made-for-digital model, the ML-2, was my last one. If I was doing a product shot that called for macro work, it was the Arca Swiss ML-2 with a Phase One back. Focus stacking and Helicon Focus to finish the image. Serious macro work is best done with digital IMHO.

Today, I am retired and sold off most of the commercial gear. I keep a Sinar Norma on a studio stand as my monorail because it is affordable, versatile, and classic. I have a Linhof MT 3000 field camera for when I am shooting a 90mm to 300mm lens; I wouldn't say I like the Linhof for anything less than 90mm, and it does well with the 300mm. My landscape field camera of choice (the only 4x5 camera model I purchased more than once) is the Ebony RSW. It is a beautiful camera that I shoot 65mm to 150mm lenses with.

Try a Sinar Norma for your monorail. There are nicer monorails, but Norma cannot be beaten for its price and versatility.

A lot of folks love the Chamonix. I went with Ebony cameras when they were still being made, and I love using them (I have had four different models). So, no Chamonix for me if an Ebony can be found.

Macro photography is something I would leave to digital.

All the best!
Darr

[Bob Kerner]

There are plenty of monorail cameras out there. I just googled and came up with 4 that are less than $500. You should not be apprehensive about the camera just because it's no longer manufactured. As mentioned above the US representative for Arca Swiss, Rod Klukas occasionally pops up on this forum. I just bought stuff from him. His website is overflowing with Arca Swiss gear and he's happy to help people. I had a monorail, built like a tank but as I mentioned in my previous post most of its capabilities were lost on me. Unlike wood, you can thrash a monorail around and it won't fall apart so I wouldn't worry about durability. Is the ground glass intact? Bellows intact? Do the gears work smoothly? Do you have a method to mount the rail to your tripod head? That's about it.

I think at the end of the day we cannot tell you what to buy. And you shouldn't rely on the internet to tell you get an X with Y, Z and A attachments, no more than you should let someone tell you to get your gallbladder removed because you have indigestion. Make a list of your subject matter. Read some material (or watch video) on camera movements. Then ask yourself "How much movement do I need to photography that thing?" Maybe add some wiggle room to get better and expand.....then find a camera that meets those needs AND is within your budget.

The same goes for the lenses too, except that is marginally easier because there's a smartphone app that will emulate different lenses in various film formats so you don't have to guess as to what a sense will look like.

[westpost]

I think at the end of the day we cannot tell you what to buy. And you shouldn't rely on the internet to tell you get an X with Y, Z and A attachments, no more than you should let someone tell you to get your gallbladder removed because you have indigestion. Make a list of your subject matter. Read some material (or watch video) on camera movements. Then ask yourself "How much movement do I need to photography that thing?" Maybe add some wiggle room to get better and expand.....then find a camera that meets those needs AND is within your budget.

I will follow this advice.